33-Lb. Cat Sponge Bob Dies

Sponge Bob, the onetime 33-lb. cat, had gone from the shelter to a loving home two months ago – and had even met Edie Falco along the way – but after a sudden shift in his health, Sponge Bob died last week. He was 9 years old.

Sponge, as he was called by his owners, New York City couple Courtney and Matt Farrell, had been given a clean bill of health when he was adopted in June. Two weeks ago, according to the blog the Farrell's keep about Sponge, coughing fits landed him back at the vet, an X-ray showed a mass on his chest.

The mass pushed Sponge's heart and put pressure on his lungs, restricting his breathing. With their options rapidly becoming more limited, the Farrells made the decision to put Sponge down.

"This has been one of the hardest things I have ever experienced, and certainly the most difficult thing Matt and I have had to endure as a couple," Courtney writes. "We loved this cat so tremendously and had so many plans for him as part of our family. We hadn't had him for long, but we had already dreamed about him being around in the future."